Track system for placing shaped bodies

ABSTRACT

A support structure for placing shaped bodies such as landscaping bricks. The support structures may be coupled together to form a track of a predetermined shape. The track may be configured to receive and place the shaped bodies in framed sections to form a landscaping barrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.18/164,001, filed Feb. 3, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/559,728, filed Dec. 22, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No.11,598,109, issued Mach 07, 2023, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a track system for placing shapedbodies, for example, a device for setting, positioning, and/or securingmasonry, and more particularly for masonry used in landscaping orgardening.

BACKGROUND

Landscapes and/or gardens surrounding an individual's home and propertycan add value to the property. Landscaping can add aesthetic appeal aswell as accentuate specific features. In many modern families and homesland care, gardening, and landscaping can be both a hobby and a sourceof pride. Professional or do-it-yourself efforts may be employed forlandscaping. Often landscaping involves trees, shrubs, grass, and pathsin well-defined spaces. For example, many modern homes have a gardenincluding bushes and/or flowers along their house with a lawn adjacentto or in front of and behind their home as well as a hard path (e.g., asidewalk) to their doorways. These spaces may be delineated by materialssuch as landscaping bricks (e.g., masonry) or stones that can withstandthe outdoor environment. Other garden areas or delineation such asaround a tree or bush may be used. Creating these divisions is not onlyaesthetically appealing but can assist with care and maintenance.

SUMMARY

A track system for placing shaped bodies in a pattern is provided. Thetrack system may include a plurality of support structures. Each supportstructure may include a support surface and a placing surface oppositethe support surface. An inner wall or placing strut may extend from thesupport surface and one or more anchors may extend from the placingsurface to, for example, anchor or place it on the ground. Each supportstructure may also include first and second fasteners for couplingadjacent support structures together. When coupled together the placingstruts from adjacent support structures cooperate to provide framedsections configured to place a shaped body such as a landscaping brick.

In another embodiment, a support structure for placing shaped bodies isprovided. The support structure has a support surface and a placingsurface opposite the support surface. An inner partition may protrudefrom the support surface and one or more anchors may protrude from theplacing surface. One or more fasteners may be configured to couple thesupport surface to an additional support surface of another supportstructure such that when coupled a track with framed sections defined bythe inner partition is provided. The one or more fasteners may includefirst and second fasteners. The framed sections each being configured toplace a shaped body of the shaped bodies.

In yet another embodiment, a landscaping barrier is disclosed. Thelandscaping barrier includes a plurality of support structures that whencoupled together define sections configured to support a shaped bodysuch as a masonry block. At least one of the support structure from theplurality of support structures including a base having a framing wallextending in a first direction from the base. The support structure alsoincludes one or more anchors extending from the base in a seconddirection that may be opposite the first direction. The supportstructure having a coupling means for coupling it to at least two othersupport structures from the plurality of support structures such thatthe framing walls of adjacent support structures define the sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of support structuresforming a track in a predetermined shape.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a landscaping barrier.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support structure.

FIG. 4 is bottom view of a support structure coupled to an adjacentsupport structure by a fastener.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views of an anchor attachment.

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of a support structure coupled to anadjacent support structure by fasteners.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a support structure.

FIG. 9 is a back view of a support structure.

FIG. 10 is a side view from the left side of a support structure.

FIG. 11 is a side view from the right side of a support structure.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the support structure.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another support structure.

FIGS. 14-18 are front, back, left, right and top views of anothersupport structure in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of two support structures coupled together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examplesand other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale. Some features could be exaggeratedor minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments ofthe present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand, various features illustrated and described with reference toany one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in oneor more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitlyillustrated or described. The combinations of features illustratedprovide representative embodiments for typical applications. Variouscombinations and modifications of the features consistent with theteachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particularapplications or implementations.

This disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methodsdescribed below, as specific components and/or conditions may vary.Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting inany way.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form “a,”“an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in thesingular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.

The term “substantially” or “generally” may be used herein to describedisclosed or claimed embodiments. The term “substantially” may modify avalue or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the presentdisclosure. In such instances, “substantially” may signify that thevalue or relative characteristic it modifies is within ±0%, 0.1%, 0.5%,1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% or 10% of the value or relative characteristic.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thepresently disclosed and claimed subject matter can include the use ofeither of the other two terms.

It should also be appreciated that integer ranges explicitly include allintervening integers. For example, the integer range 1-10 explicitlyincludes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Similarly, the range 1 to100 includes 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . 97, 98, 99, 100. Similarly, when any rangeis called for, intervening numbers that are increments of the differencebetween the upper limit and the lower limit divided by 10 can be takenas alternative upper or lower limits. For example, if the range is 1.1.to 2.1 the following numbers 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, and2.0 can be selected as lower or upper limits.

A track system for setting, placing, and/or securing, for example,landscaping masonry blocks in a pattern is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, track system 100 includes a plurality of support structures 110forming track 120 having a predetermined shape. The predetermined shapemay be any suitable shape and size such as round, straight, a circle, anoval, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, aheptagon, an octagon, a polygon, a straight line, a curved line, or anycombination thereof. The track 120 and/or support structures 110 mayform a landscaping barrier. The track 120 and/or support structures 110may be configured to support a shaped body 130 such as a landscapingbrick as shown in FIG. 2 .

Support structure 300, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, 6 and 7-18 may include abase 310 having a support surface 312 and a securing/placing surface 314opposite the support surface 312. Base 310 may have one or moreirrigating/irrigation apertures 316. In one or more embodiments, supportsurface 312 is configured to support a shaped body. In one or moreembodiments, the support surface may include a series of walls 320extending or protruding therefrom. Walls 320 may include innerperipheral wall 322 extending from an inner edge of support surface 312,outer peripheral wall 324 extending from an outer edge of supportsurface 312, and one or more internal walls or partitions 326. In one ormore embodiments, the one or more internal walls 326 is an internal orsecuring strut. The securing strut may protrude from support surface 312along the width of support surface 312 or along a portion of the width.In a variation, walls 320 may extend in a first direction from thesupport surface 312.

Securing/placing surface 314 may have one or more anchors 330 extendingor protruding from surface 314. In one or more embodiments, the one ormore anchors 330 may include one or more serrated walls 332 and/orattachable anchors 334, as shown in FIG. 5-6 . Anchors 330 may be of anysuitable shape and size for penetrating into the ground (e.g., grass,turf, dirt, and/or sand) and securing support structure 300 in position.Securing/placing surface 314 may be smooth or textured to assist insecuring the support structure 300. In one or more embodiments, serratedwalls 332 may be arranged along the peripheral edge of securing/placingsurface 314. In another embodiment, serrated walls 332 may be arrangedbetween and/or around the one or more irrigating orifices 316. In oneembodiment, anchors 330 may extend from the securing/placing surface 314in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Support structure 300 may have one or more fasteners 340 (e.g., couplingmeans) configured to couple multiple, additional, and/or adjacentsupport structures together to form a track. In at least one embodiment,support structure 300 may include a fastener 342 at first end 318 ofbase 310 and a fastener 344 at second end 319 of base 310. In anembodiment, another fastener 346 may be at first end 318 of base 310 andstill another fastener 348 may be at second end 319 of base 310. Thefasteners 342, 344, 346, and 348 may be the same or different. Forexample, fasteners 342, 344, 346, 348 may be a screw, bolt, nail,anchor, rivet, pin, rope, wire, chain, hinge, spring, dowel, button,clamp, clasp, flange, grommet, hook and eye, hook and loop, etc. In anembodiment, one or more of the fasteners 342, 344, 346, and 348 mayinclude an annular ring (e.g., 342) and/or a protruding member (e.g.,344). For example, protruding member 344 of first support structure 302may be disposed within annular ring 342 of an adjacently coupled secondsupport structure 304. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more ofthe fasteners may include one or more orifices 346 and a pin/dowel 347.One or more of the fasteners may be adjustable such that it alters theshape or size of the predetermined shape. In a variation, each supportstructure may include multiple orifices 346 such that tracks ofdifferent shapes and sizes can be formed by coupling together differentorifices 346 with a pin 347 or dowel. For example, each supportstructure 300 may include a first fastener 342 that is an annular ring,a second fastener 344 that is a protruding member, third fastener 346may include one or more orifices (e.g., 2) and fourth fastener 348 maybe one or more orifices (e.g., 5) such that the protruding member of afirst support structure may be disposed in the annular ring of anadjacently coupled second support structure and the orifices of thethird and fourth fasteners may be aligned with a pin disposed therein.The multiple orifices may allow for adjusting the shape or size of thepredetermined shape. For example, each orifice may correspond to circlesof different sizes such that it corresponds to a predetermined number ofshaped bodies (e.g., 12 to 16 landscaping bricks).

A plurality of support structures 300 may be coupled together asdescribed above such that they form a track. When at least two supportstructures 300 are coupled together they may form a framed section 350within the walls 320 (e.g., inner and outer peripheral walls 322 and 324and struts 326). A framed section 350 may be formed from the walls 320of two separate support structures 300 when adjacently coupled together.The framed section 350 may have a shape and size configured to support ashaped body. The framed section 350 may include an elevated portion 321of the support surface 322 and a depressed portion 323 of the supportsurface 322 such that a shaped body with a lip may be accommodated.

Support structures 300 may also include one or more overlapping portions360 such as those accommodating fasteners. However, other overlappingportions 360 may be present to provide structural support and integritywhen a plurality of support structures is coupled together such that aheavy shaped body (e.g., brick) may be supported without damaging thesupport structure 300 or disfiguring the predetermined shape. In anembodiment, each support structure 300 may have a first and secondoverlapping portion 360.

Shaped bodies 230 may be blocks (e.g., a cylinder/wooden block), bricks(e.g., a landscaping bricks), and/or pavers. Shaped body 230 may bestone, concrete, wood, masonry, plastic but may also be a materialsuitable for an outdoor environment such as masonry.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims.The words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Aspreviously described, the features of various embodiments can becombined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not beexplicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments couldhave been described as providing advantages or being preferred overother embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one ormore desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize that one or more features or characteristics can becompromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which dependon the specific application and implementation. These attributes caninclude, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cyclecost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability,weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodimentsdescribed as less desirable than other embodiments or prior artimplementations with respect to one or more characteristics are notoutside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particularapplications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A track system for placing shaped bodies in apattern comprising: a plurality of support structures each including: asupport surface and a placing surface opposite the support surface; aplacing strut extending from the support surface; one or more anchorsextending from the placing surface; and first and second fastenerscooperatively configured to couple a support structure to an adjacentsupport structure of the plurality of support structures; wherein theplurality of support structures and placing struts cooperate whencoupled together to provide framed sections that are configured to placea shaped body of the shaped bodies, each framed section including anelevated portion of the support and a depressed portion of the supportsurface such that the depressed portion is configured for a lip of theshaped body.
 2. The track system of claim 1, wherein the pattern is apredetermined shape.
 3. The track system of claim 2, wherein each of thesupport structures includes third and fourth fasteners cooperativelyconfigured to couple the support structure to the adjacent structure ofthe plurality of support structures.
 4. The track system of claim 3,wherein the first, second, third and/or fourth fastener is adjustable toalter the size of the predetermined shape.
 5. The track system of claim4, wherein the shaped body is a landscaping brick.
 6. The track systemof claim 1, wherein the framed sections each include an elevated portionof the support surface and a depressed portion of the support surfacesuch that the depressed portion frames a lip portion of the shaped body.7. The track system of claim 3, wherein the first fastener includes anannular ring, and the second fastener includes a protruding memberconfigured to be disposed in the annular ring of an adjacently coupledsupport structure.
 8. The track system of claim 7, wherein the third andfourth fasteners each include an orifice such that a pin can be disposedin the orifice of the third and fourth fasteners of adjacently coupledsupport structures when aligned.
 9. The track system of claim 8, whereinthe predetermined shape is round.
 10. The track system of claim 9,wherein the predetermined shape is a circle or oval.
 11. The tracksystem of claim 10, wherein each support structure includes a firstoverlapping portion and a second overlapping portion such that theoverlapping portions of adjacently coupled support structures overlapwhen coupled together.
 12. A support structure for placing shaped bodiescomprising: a support surface and a placing surface opposite the supportsurface; an inner partition protruding from the support surfaceextending across the support surface; one or more anchors protrudingfrom the placing surface; and first and second fasteners cooperativelyconfigured to couple the support surface to an additional supportsurface such that when a plurality of support structures are coupled toform a track, the track defines framed sections configured to place ashaped body of the shaped bodies, the framed sections being defined by afirst inner partition of a first support structure and a second innerpartition of a second support structure.
 13. The support structure ofclaim 12, wherein the support surface has one or more irrigatingapertures.
 14. The support structure of claim 12, wherein the supportsurface has an inner edge with an inner peripheral wall extendingtherefrom, the inner peripheral wall having a first portion disposed ona first side of support surface and a second portion disposed on asecond side of the support surface opposite the first portion relativeto the inner partition such that the framed sections are defined by theinner partitions and the first portion of the inner peripheral wall ofthe first support structure cooperating the second portion of the innerperipheral wall of the second support structure.
 15. The supportstructure of claim 14, wherein the support surface has an outer edgewith an outer peripheral wall extending therefrom, the outer peripheralwall having a first region and a second region such that the framedsections are defined by the inner partitions, the first portion of theinner peripheral wall of the first support structure cooperating withthe second portion of the inner peripheral wall of the second supportstructure, and the first region of the outer peripheral wall of thefirst support structure cooperating with the second region of the outerperipheral wall of the second support structure.
 16. The supportstructure of claim 12, wherein the one or more anchors include serratedwalls.
 17. A landscaping barrier comprising: a plurality of supportstructures that when coupled together define sections, at least onesupport structure from the plurality of support structures including: abase having a framing wall extending from in a first direction from thebase; one or more anchors extending from the base in a second direction;and a coupling means for coupling the at least one support structure toat least two other support structures from the plurality of supportstructures; wherein the framed sections, defined by the framing walls ofadjacent support structures, are configured to frame shaped bodies, eachshaped body being supported by the base of at least two supportstructures.
 18. The landscaping barrier of claim 17, wherein thecoupling means is an adjustable coupling means.
 19. The landscapingbarrier of claim 17, wherein the first direction is opposite the seconddirection.
 20. The landscaping barrier of claim 17, wherein theplurality of the plurality of shaped bodies is a plurality of masonryblocks.